Category: Challenges

February 2019 Wrap

February continued pretty much as January with plenty of riding in the Norfolk Plains. Things were a little awkward as the main link road (Bishopsbourne Road) was undergoing renovations and the top surface was removed, deep dropaways at the edges created and rocks were added as road base. The rocks were difficult to cycle over so Bishopsbourne, Bracknell, Carrick etc were inaccessible unless the trike was carted over the roadworks in the car.

Colin and I did that once and rode from Bishopsbourne to the Hazelbrae cafe (for coffee of course) and back. I took no pictures so didn’t provide a report.

Another unreported ride was along the western side of the Tamar River between Beaconsfield and Beauty Point. This time I had the camera and took pictures but had set the image size to VGA (i.e. very small) while taking some pictures to put on Gumtree (classifieds). It remained set to VGA for the ride and the resultant pictures – which should have been wonderful – were rubbish!!

However, the overnight to Ross, riding the Launceston Trails (well, some of them) and the Grand Parade at the Evandale National Penny Farthing Championships were all documented as they happened.

I have met my February Goal of 500k in the month. Even though it only had 28 days.

Melbourne to Adelaide

The Route

The kick-off date is getting closer !!

I have been working the Ride with GPS tool to plan a route that has 40-50k legs and avoids heavy traffic areas – so I am going inland until getting to the SA coast at Robe. The coastal route while picturesque is both windy and attracts a lot of traffic. I am told there will undoubtably be head winds from Robe northwards – if not all the way. Oh Joy. Current weather checks have shown days with south easterlies blowing so it will be useful if they continue.

The plan is to camp as much as possible. There are a couple of sections that seem to be farmland only. Tiny towns with no camp grounds or pubs even (?? in Australia ??). Not sure what will happen there but something will come along.

So the plans are laid, gear selected, trike ready and it’s 2.5 weeks to go.


Week #46, 2018. Challenges, Challenges galore.

The Cycle365 website hosts a variety of cycle related Challenges.  So at the moment I am tackling my personal challenge of riding 5,200 kilometers by 31st December as well as Coffeeneuring and the November “Do something for your Community” challenge.  Luckily they sort of slot together by completing multi-purpose rides!

Continue reading “Week #46, 2018. Challenges, Challenges galore.”

Week #44. 2018. Quiet week – odd weather.

I came across a reference to Tommy Goodwin this week.  Tommy was a Brit who cycled 120,805 kilometers in one year back in 1939.  Carrying on to May 1940 he covered 160,000 kilometers, dismounted, learnt how to walk again, joined the RAF and went to fight for his country.

Tommy’s record stood until 2015 when Kurt Searvogel of the USA cycled 122,432 ks in one year.  That was then eclipsed in 2017 when 24 year old Amanda Coker also of the USA pedalled 138,517.2 ks in the year.  She also then continued on to blitz the 160,000 k record.

Here I am attempting to cover 5,200 ks in 2018; I feel rather overshadowed by these cycling greats !!

Interesting point.  The rules for such record attempts don’t specify bike type.  Amanda cycled using road bikes, MTBs and recumbents to get her record.  She used the different style bikes to rest different muscle groups.

Continue reading “Week #44. 2018. Quiet week – odd weather.”